Moving from Springfield, MA to Cambridge, MA
Relocating between Springfield, MA and Cambridge, MA is a 86 mi drive — 1h 48m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
86 mi · 1h 48m by car · MA
Distance & route
| Route through | MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 291, US 3 |
| Major cities en route | Hartford, Worcester, Providence, Lowell, Brockton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Cambridge | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.061 | 108.266 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.996 | 148.768 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.015 | 99.651 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.781 | 148.424 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 12.7% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 12.7% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $294,613 to $1,041,569 moving to Cambridge.
YoY change: Springfield +3.5%, Cambridge -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Springfield | Cambridge |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 16°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 85°F | 85°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 45.2" | 49.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Springfield (49.4°F) and Cambridge (51.2°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WESTFIELD BARNES MUNI AP, MA US, JAMAICA PLAIN, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Cambridge |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 117,794 |
| Median household income | $51,339 | $126,469 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 30.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.8% | 29.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.67 | 2.38 |
Expect median household income to rise 12.7% — $51,339 → $126,469 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
OEWS occupation data not available for these MSAs.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Frequently asked
How far is Cambridge, MA from Springfield, MA?
The driving distance is 86 mi and the route typically takes 1h 48m via I 90 and I 291. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Cambridge?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 86 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Cambridge compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,041,569 in Cambridge vs $294,613 in Springfield — a 253.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Cambridge?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $126,469 in Cambridge vs $51,339 in Springfield — a 146.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Cambridge more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cambridge is 12.7% higher than Springfield (108.266 vs 96.061, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, MA · Cambridge, MA.